Turkey barns packed, but inventory lowest in 20 years, says B.C. Turkey Marketing Board

Although turkey barns are packed, frozen turkey inventories are at their lowest in more than two decades, according to the B.C. Turkey Marketing Board — and some supermarkets are selling out of the holiday staple.

"Frozen inventory is down 30 per cent, but we expect more fresh turkeys this year than we did last," said Michel Benoit, general manager of the BCTMB. 

The low inventory of turkeys stocked in commercial freezers, to be delivered to grocers, is the result of fewer turkeys farmed during the pandemic.

According to Benoit, the industry faced production cuts as fewer people participated in gatherings and celebrations, hosted holiday dinners, and dined in restaurants.

But as restrictions eased over the last year, demand ramped up. Production has increased by twice as much this year, filling barns with turkeys to be delivered to stores by Christmas, says Benoit.

"From the time you decide to increase production to the time you can actually get a turkey on a plate, it takes over six months … it's been a real challenge to try to figure it out," he said.

"We do have more product than we had last year. The question is, will it be enough?"

Now, finding turkeys in time for the holidays may be a breeze for some shoppers — but not so much for others in some parts of the province.

Maverick Mart in Prince Rupert, on B.C.'s northwest coast, has had to switch from selling turkeys to hams.

"Demand has been crazy. We've had so many phone calls about turkey and people getting upset," said the supermarket's owner, Rick Taylor. 

The store has sold out of its 123 frozen free-range turkeys and will not be able to order more in time for Christmas.

In the Lower Mainland, Nature's Pickin's Market in the city of Abbotsford says its 100 pre-order slots — where the market orders fresh birds from suppliers ahead of selling them in-store — are almost sold out. 

Because the market gets their turkey supply from nearby farms, including in Yarrow, Chilliwack, they were able to secure turkeys for pre-orders. However, placing more orders in time for Christmas has been a challenge. 

"We have tried to order more, but it's delayed in the end like so close to Christmas ... we can't find [turkeys] anywhere. Everybody's sold out," said meat manager Carrie Newham.